Could you tell us the first party you played in your life?

That was when I was 17-18 years old in NYC, my friends and I put DJ equipment together, and someone hired us as DJs went for a special party like wedding party. And my first experience watching a DJ was not in a club or either. It was very natural experience as well. My brother and I used to involve in “Black Association” where we had a party with my neighborhood. My brother one day brought a really good sound system to the street, which was Pioneer SX1010 receiver, Techniques original 1200 turntable, and pair of speakers. And my brother brought those equipments on the street, he was not DJing, but playing music. That was my first experience I watched DJ and everybody dancing. And my family made me into music, actually picture of a woman on Corresponding Echoes is my mother at teenager. She’s in front of stereo holding a record. That’s the logo of Sacred Rhythm Music as well. It shows the roots of my music of existence. All the music came from my education, from my home,
So again to answer your question, I’m here very natural way. That’s how I treat and create music.

How is the music scene in NYC going on?

Honestly, I don’t really follow music scene in NYC or anywhere, but it not as interesting as before. We have regular party for Sacred Rhyme Music twice a month on Sunday afternoon at club called “Love” in West Village.

Any reasons why you stick to Sunday Afternoon party?

It’s really easy for me. Coming from Body & Soul, my time now, I’m not really excited about going to a club at 3 o’clock in the morning. It’s smoke all over the place and loud music So it’s better for me on Sunday afternoon. It’s more peaceful. We finish up at midnight, get some sleep and get ready for a week. We will be back for Body & Soul Tokyo on May 18th and 25th in NYC, then Singapore.

How do you think of Japanese audience in general? Any characteristic you see compare to other cities fans?

Japanese are very passionate. In every city, aura and the way they react to music are very different. In Tokyo for example they are very energetic, whereas in Sapporo it’s more different feeling. They are more relaxed in Sapporo, but in a powerful way.

Nowadays it’s said that CD or vinyl’s sales is getting smaller, instead of this, mp3 like digital format is emerging. How do you think of all the changes?

Music industry is not about music. People in music industry don’t care about music. It’s only business for them. Vinyl can disappear tomorrow, mp3 can disappear tomorrow, they don’t care. They are always trying to find the best way to make money. So they try to introduce new thing, but it’s not about music, it’s about new technology for them. So because of this, it’s the reason why music doesn’t sell good. It’s because there is no passion or energy behind the music. Music can sell really well today if the records companies believe the music.

Thank you so much for your very sincere interview, Joe. We all now know that Joe Claussell is the one who sticks to what he believes in and carries those beliefs all around the world for us. From his messages by believing what music is supposed to be, many of us may get his words well all beyond music genre/categories…